Running 26.2 miles takes months of preparation, and the training itself is only part of the equation. You need the right fuel, a plan that fits your schedule, and tools that track your progress without cluttering your phone with useless notifications. The internet has plenty of options for runners, but most of them waste your time with generic advice or try to sell you gear you do not need.
This list cuts through that. These 8 websites serve specific purposes for marathon runners, from nutrition planning to race logistics, and each one earns its place here for practical reasons.
TL;DR
- The Feed offers over 300 sports nutrition brands with single-serving purchases and free coaching support
- Runner’s World provides 17 marathon training plans for members at various skill levels
- Strava tracks runs and now predicts race finish times using subscriber data
- Marathon Guide and FindMyMarathon simplify race discovery and registration
- Science-backed resources like Strength Running and Fellrnr offer training depth without the fluff
| Website | Primary Use | Best For | Cost |
| The Feed | Nutrition products | Testing gels, hydration, and recovery fuel | Pay per product |
| Runner’s World | Training plans and gear reviews | Structured marathon prep | Free and paid tiers |
| Strava | Activity tracking and social features | Logging runs and performance data | Free and paid tiers |
| Marathon Guide | Race results and calendars | Finding and comparing marathons | Free |
| FindMyMarathon | Race search by location and date | Discovering new races | Free |
| Strength Running | Coaching and injury prevention | Runners seeking structured guidance | Free and paid tiers |
| Fellrnr | Training science and shoe reviews | Data-driven runners | Free |
| TrainingPeaks | Structured workout planning | Serious athletes and coaches | Free and paid tiers |
1. The Feed: Where Nutrition Testing Gets Practical
Buying a full box of energy gels only to hate the taste after mile 18 is a mistake most marathoners make once. The Feed solves this problem by letting you purchase single servings of products before committing to larger quantities. With over 300 sports nutrition brands available, the platform functions as the largest online sports nutrition company built for endurance athletes.
What separates The Feed from other retailers is the coaching support. Feed Coaches provide complimentary nutrition guidance, helping you match products to your training demands and race goals. This service matters because fueling strategies vary by runner, and what works for a 3-hour marathoner may fail for someone targeting 4:30.
The platform earned a partnership with USA Triathlon in 2024, which provided members with an $80 credit to the site. That endorsement speaks to the quality of service and product range. Trustpilot reviews from 1,537 customers highlight the convenience and variety, with many noting how easy it is to build a personalized race-day nutrition kit. For any runner serious about testing fuel options before a marathon, The Feed is the first stop.
2. Runner’s World: Training Plans That Actually Fit Your Life
Runner’s World has published running content for decades, but the real value for marathoners sits behind the Runner’s World+ membership. Subscribers gain access to 17 marathon training plans designed for various skill levels and finish-time goals.
These plans break training into weekly structures with specific workouts for speed, endurance, and recovery. The site also publishes gear reviews, injury prevention guides, and nutrition tips, though the training plans remain the core offering. If you want a single resource that covers preparation from first long run to race morning, this works well.
The free content on the site still holds value. Articles on pacing strategies, taper weeks, and post-race recovery provide useful information without requiring payment. But for a complete training framework, the paid membership delivers more structure than piecing together advice from random sources.
3. Strava: More Than a Running Log
Strava began as a GPS tracking app and has grown into a global community of endurance athletes. Over 150 million athletes use the platform, and in 2024, users recorded nearly 1 billion runs. The scale of that data creates opportunities the company has started to use.
In April 2025, Strava introduced Performance Predictions, a subscriber feature that estimates your finish time for race distances based on your recent training. The prediction model draws from your workout history, making it more personalized than generic pace calculators.
Beyond predictions, Strava offers custom training plans ranging from 6 to 26 weeks for distances between 5 and 50 kilometers. The social component adds accountability, as friends and followers see your logged runs and can leave comments. Some runners find this motivating, while others prefer to train in private. Strava supports both approaches through privacy settings.
4. Marathon Guide: The Race Calendar You Actually Need
Finding your next marathon should not require hours of searching. Marathon Guide organizes race calendars by date, location, and size, making it simple to discover events near you or plan a destination race.
The site also archives race results, which helps when you want to research a course before registering. You can look at finish time distributions, which gives a sense of course difficulty and the competitive field. This information matters if you are targeting a qualifying time for Boston or another major race.
Marathon Guide does not sell you anything or push premium memberships. It serves as a straightforward database for runners who want facts about races without the sales pitch.
5. FindMyMarathon: Search Races by What Matters to You
FindMyMarathon takes a different approach to race discovery. The site lets you filter marathons by location, date, elevation gain, and even average weather conditions on race day. If you know you perform poorly in heat, you can search for cooler races. If flat courses suit your stride, you can exclude hilly events.
The user reviews on the site come from runners who have completed these races, and they often include details that official race pages leave out. Things like parking availability, expo quality, and crowd support along the course show up in these reviews. This grassroots feedback helps you set expectations before traveling to an unfamiliar city for a race.
6. Strength Running: Coaching Without the Premium Price Tag
Jason Fitzgerald, a running coach with a certification from USA Track and Field, runs this site. Strength Running focuses on injury prevention, strength exercises for runners, and training philosophy. The free content includes workout routines, stretching guides, and articles on common running injuries.
For runners who want more structure, the site offers paid coaching programs and online courses. The approach emphasizes consistency and gradual progression rather than aggressive mileage increases that lead to burnout or injury. If you have dealt with recurring injuries or feel stuck at a performance plateau, the resources here provide evidence-based guidance without the cost of one-on-one coaching.
7. Fellrnr: Data for Runners Who Want Depth
Fellrnr is a personal project by Jonathan Savage, an ultra-marathoner and engineer. The site reads more like a textbook than a blog, which will appeal to some runners and frustrate others. If you want to understand the science behind training adaptations, lactate threshold, or heat acclimatization, Fellrnr covers these topics in detail.
The shoe reviews on the site follow a data-driven methodology, measuring cushioning, weight, and durability rather than relying on subjective impressions. The training content includes discussions of different periodization models, heart rate zone training, and race-specific preparation strategies.
This resource works best for runners who enjoy reading deeply about their sport. Casual joggers may find the level of detail overwhelming, but serious marathoners will appreciate the thoroughness.
8. TrainingPeaks: Structured Workouts for Serious Athletes
TrainingPeaks started as a tool for coaches to share workouts with athletes and has grown into a full training platform. The site allows you to follow pre-built training plans or work with a coach who uploads custom workouts to your account.
The interface syncs with GPS watches and power meters, which provides detailed post-workout analysis. Metrics like Training Stress Score and Chronic Training Load help you monitor fatigue and fitness over time. These numbers require some learning to interpret, but they offer a level of precision that simple mileage logs do not provide.
The free version of TrainingPeaks covers basic workout logging. The premium tier unlocks advanced metrics and the ability to follow structured training plans. Runners who work with coaches often use this platform because it creates a central location for all workout data and communication.
Picking the Right Tools for Your Marathon Prep
Each of these sites serves a purpose, and you do not need to use all of them.
The goal is to reduce friction in your preparation. Training for a marathon already demands enough time and energy. These tools should make the process easier, not add more complexity to your routine.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: Marathoners. Cover Photo Credit: Freepik
